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Associate Human Resources Director Salary in the United States

How much does an Associate Human Resources Director make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Associate Human Resources Director in the United States is $154,500 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $74.

However, an Associate Human Resources Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $187,748
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $140,312 to $171,903
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $127,395
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Associate Human Resources Director Salaries

An Associate Human Resources Director's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Associate Human Resources Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Associate Human Resources Director's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Human Resources Supervisor (7+ years): $105,448
  • Human Resources Manager (7+ years): $123,252
  • Associate Human Resources Director (7+ years): $154,500
  • Human Resources Director (7+ years): $173,276
  • VP of Human Resources (7+ years): $197,964
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Human Resources Supervisor7+ years$105,448
Human Resources Manager7+ years$123,252
Associate Human Resources Director7+ years$154,500
Human Resources Director7+ years$173,276
VP of Human Resources7+ years$197,964
View as Graph

How Do Associate Human Resources Director Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Associate Human Resources Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $171,062.
  • California: $170,414.
  • Massachusetts: $168,142.

Top Paying Cities for Associate Human Resources Directors

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $194,871
  • San Francisco: $192,737
  • Oakland: $188,675

What Skills Can Increase an Associate Human Resources Director's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 12.39% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Business Administration (Mentioned in 2.54% Job Postings): It is the management of all aspects of a business's performance, decisions, and organization. It includes the day to day operations, aspects including finances and human resources, and ensures the company stays aligned to the goal or mission.
  • Labor Relations (Mentioned in 1.61% Job Postings): Is the term used to define the process between employers and employees, management and unions in order to make decisions in organizations. The decisions taken refer to wages, working conditions, hours of work, and safety at work, security and grievances.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 12.39%
Business Administration 2.54%
Labor Relations 1.61%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Associate Human Resources Director's salary.

  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Labor Relations: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Organizational Development: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Insight $165,315
7%
Labor Relations $163,770
6%
Organizational Development $162,225
5%
Get Latest Data

Associate Human Resources Director Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Associate Human Resources Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $172,660. While startup companies pay approximate $146,053.

Associate Human Resources Director Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $146,053
Growth Stage 51~500 $154,466
Established 501~5000 $166,725
Enterprise 5000+ $172,660

Associate Human Resources Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Associate Human Resources Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the MFG Nondurable and Construction sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Associate Human Resources Director positions in Pharmaceuticals or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Associate Human Resources Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Associate Human Resources Director

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
MFG Nondurable$193,125$93.025%
Construction$185,400$89.020%
Healthcare$173,040$83.012%
Business Services$169,950$82.010%
Insurance$166,860$80.08%

How Education impacts an Associate Human Resources Director's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Associate Human Resources Director enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Associate Human Resources Director with a Bachelor's Degree is between $154,811 and $165,146.

Associate Human Resources Director Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Associate Human Resources Director
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.0%
High School 9.0%
Associates 6.2%
Bachelors 43.1%
Masters 37.3%
Doctorate 3.3%
View as Graph

Associate Human Resources Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Associate Human Resources Director's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$140,312
Average $154,500/year
$171,903
$11,693
Average $12,875/month
$14,325
$2,698
Average $2,971/week
$3,306
$67
Average $74/hour
$83
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $171,903 $14,325 $3,306 $83
Average $154,500 $12,875 $2,971 $74
25th Percentile $140,312 $11,693 $2,698 $67

Associate Human Resources Director Salary Growth & Career Path

Associate Human Resources Director

Next Role

Advancement

For an Associate Human Resources Director, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Human Resources Director role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $173,276 - a projected growth of 12% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Associate Human Resources Director

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Associate Human Resources Director

Here are companies hiring for Associate Human Resources Director and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Associate Human Resources Director

1. Where can an Associate Human Resources Director earn the most?

An Associate Human Resources Director's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, an Associate Human Resources Director earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Associate Human Resources Director is $194,871.

2. What is the highest pay for Associate Human Resources Director?

The highest pay for Associate Human Resources Director is $187,748.

3. What is the lowest pay for Associate Human Resources Director?

The lowest pay for Associate Human Resources Director is $127,395.

4. What are the responsibilities of Associate Human Resources Director?

Directs the human resources staff that implement and manage policies and programs that reflect the organization's mission and values, support company goals, achieve objectives, and positively engage the workforce. Maintains broad and current subject matter knowledge and expertise in federal and state employment laws to advise leadership with solutions for human resources issues and evolving organizational needs. Oversees processes and programs that support employees and company operations, including staffing, compensation, benefits, training, employee relations, safety, and compliance. Administers an HRIS or other system to facilitate processes, provide data, and report on HR activity. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a head of a unit/department. Typically manages through subordinate managers and professionals in larger groups of moderate complexity. Provides input to strategic decisions that affect the functional area of responsibility. May give input into developing the budget. Typically requires 3+ years of managerial experience. Capable of resolving escalated issues arising from operations and requiring coordination with other departments.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Associate Human Resources Director?

The MFG Nondurable industry offers the highest average compensation for Associate Human Resources Director roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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